CONCORD — John LeFrancois was just 17 when his mother signed for him to join the Army after high school. A year later, in May 1952, he was in Korea with the 187th Airborne.

It was the middle of the Korean War.

“I used to drive a chaplain,” said the Bennington man. “We used to go up to the front line so he could give last rites. ... Driving a jeep up the main supply line.”

He shakes his head at the thought.

In all, LeFrancois served 20 years in the military in two stints and sustained several injuries, including a head injury that left him with disabilities.

Friday, he was one of 57 Korean War veterans who were honored and presented with the Korean Peace Medal, known as the Ambassor for Peace Medal.

Kangho Park, consul general of the Republic of Korea in Boston, and other representatives of the Korean government fastened a ribbon holding the medal around each veteran's neck, presented them with a proclamation and decorations, and shook their hand.

Sun Woo Park of Durham, president and chairman of the executive board of the Korean American Society of New Hampshire, said the medals are “to recognize the bravery of those soldiers who gave lasting freedom to the Korean people.

“We never forget.”

Between the June 25, 1950, attack by North Korea on South Korea and the signing of the armistice July 27, 1953, a million and a half Americans served in Korea, the bulk of the United Nations forces. Of that number, 24,000 were from New Hampshire and 134 gave their lives.

Anthony Rabbia, former state commander of the American Legion, said the war memorial service is traditionally held at the Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, but this year the Korean American Society of New Hampshire wanted to have the event at the Courtyard Marriott, where the new Korean Peace Medal could be presented to veterans.

This was the 13th time the society has honored the American veterans. Sun Woo Park lamented that even more of the veterans could not be honored at the luncheon and said he hoped they would be honored in the future.

Robert Desmond, senior vice commander of the Korean War Veterans of America, New Hampshire Chapter 320, made a presentation of his own, giving both the consul general and Sun Woo Park original Korean War Museum Medallions.

Several speakers at Friday's event spoke called the Korean War the Forgotten War, but the Koreans made it clear they have not forgotten the American contribution to their democracy.

Friday's event “proves we really never forget,” Sun Woo Park said. “Without you heroes,” he said, Korea could not be the country it is today.

Consul General Kangho Park said Americans fought as if for themselves and paved the way for the postwar prosperity of South Korea.

dvincent@unionleader.com